What is SIRS Discoverer?

SIRS Discoverer is a fantastic resource that features an advanced search engine, encyclopedias, multiple database features, and current events. This user friendly research tool will help elementary-age students navigate the World Wide Web and find content-rich resources.

SIRS Discoverer features include:

Current Events

Science Fair Explorer

Maps of the World

Leading Issues-to develop argumentative writing skills

Notable People

Fiction Section-including magazine articles with response questions

Picture Database

iThink Skills Tutor

What is SIRS Researcher?

SIRS Researcher is a resource-rich database for secondary students. Students can select an argumentative topic and find many resources to formulate an intelligent opinion and claim statement. Quality articles from reputable sources are right at the student's disposal.

Step-by-Step process to access SIRS:

If you are using a school computer, you will be connected automatically. If you are NOT using a school computer use the following information:

Username: wsdreadPassword: wsdwrite

2. Once you're logged into SIRS you are able to use it like any search engine or you can click on the helpful graphics to navigate your way to the information you need. See your school librarian for useful tips about SIRS Discoverer and SIRS Researcher.

1. Effective Video Utilization

A. All videos must be previewed by the teacher before showing. B. Intended instructional objectives must be written and filed. C. Sound instructional principles that maximize instructional time should always be employed (e.g. show only relevant clips, inform students of the instructional purpose, stop and start video to integrate other instructional activities, use pre/post questions and discussions and assessment, etc.)

2. Video Usage

A. Instructional Use: The primary use of videos is for instructional purposes. By law, any video that does not include "public performance rights" must comply with the "fair use" provision of copyright law. This requires that videos (1) be used with students in "face-to-face" instruction with the teacher. (2) be correlated to instructional objectives. (3) be shown in a normal instructional setting, (not in large group settings such as in an auditorium or assembly hall). (4) not be shown for reward, entertainment, fund raising, or the charging of admission. B. Non-instructional Use: Only videos that include "public performance rights" may be used for reward and entertainment. Videos shown solely for reward or entertainment must be approved by the building administrator.

3. Video Ratings

A. Elementary Schools may only show "G" rated videos. B. Junior High Schools (1) may show "G" rated videos. (2) may show "P.G." rated videos with approval of the building administrator and the parents (written). (3) may not show videos with more restrictive ratings (e.g. P.G.-13, R, NC-17, X). C. Senior High Schools (1) may show "G" rated videos. (2) may show "P.G." rated videos with approval of the department. (3) may show "P.G.-13" rated videos with approval of the department, a building administrator, and the parent (written). (4) may not show any video with more restrictive ratings (e.g. R, NC-17, X).

4. Video Sources

A. Any video from the district media center may be shown to students. (Grade level recommendations in the catalog should be observed.) B. Any video recorded from Instructional Television (i.e. ITV channels 7 & 9) may be shown in accordance with the rights stated in the ITV Schedule Book which is produced and distributed quarterly to all schools.) C. All videos legally purchased by the school media centers may be shown if approved for purchase by a building adminstrator and the department (secondary) or grade level team (elementary). D. Commercially rented videos carry individual restrictions and may not be shown. E. Privately owned videos may not be shown unless approved by the building administrator.

Weber County School District and its employees will adhere to the National Copyright Law (Title 17, United States Code). Copies not specifically allowed by the law, by fair use criteria, by license agreement, or by the permission of the copyright holder are prohibited.

Responsibility for keeping district personnel advised as to copyright and the right to make copies of media materials is placed with the Office of Instructional Services

Liability for willful infringement is placed upon the person or persons not adhering to such laws.

—Board Policy, June 16, 1992

Copyright Guidelines

Printed Materials Teachers may make a single copy for research purposes of: A. A chapter from a book B. An article from a periodical or newspaper C. A short story, essay or poem D. A chart, graph, diagram, drawing, or cartoon from a book, periodical, or newspaper. (Copyrighted, syndicated cartoons may not be copied) Teachers may make multiple copies for classroom use if: A. The materials meet the test of brevity: 1. Poetry—less than 250 words 2. Prose—a complete article, story, or essay of less than 2,500 words, or an excerpt of not more than 1,000 words or 10% of the work, whichever is less. B. The materials meet the test of cummulative effect: 1. The copies are for one course in the school. 2. Not more than one poem, article or essay, or two excerpts from the same author. 3. Not more than three pieces from the collective work or periodical volume during one class term. 4. No more than nine instances of such multiple copying for one course during one class term. Exceptions: Unlimited copying of newspaper articles and current news selections of other periodicals. Restrictions: Copying may not be used to create or replace an anthology, compilation or collective work. There shall be no copying of consumable works without written permission of the publisher. No copying may substitute for the purchase of books.

Audio/Video Tapes

Instructional Television (ITV) programs (Channels 7 or 9) typically may be recorded for school use—see the "Instructional Television" schedule for restrictions in your media center. Videotapes bearing "For Home Use Only" labels may be used in schools if they meet the following conditions: A. They are shown in a room regularly used for instructional purposes (not auditoriums, for example). B. the material is an integral part of the curriculum. C. They are not shown for purely recreational viewing. (Recreational viewing constitutes a public performance and the appropriate royalities must be paid.)

Videotapes appearing in the district catalog have had the appropriate fees paid for use in the schools. They may be duplicated at the school site for school use, if they do not bear a "Do Not Duplicate" or "For Home Use Only" insignia.

Off-air recording must be initiated by the teacher, not the library media personnel. The program may be used for 10 school days for direct student instructional instruction and must be erased after 45 calendar days.

Copyrighted materials may not be transferred from one medium to another. For example, you may not copy a 33 1/3 recording to tape, a Compact Disc to tape, or a radio broadcast to tape for use in the classroom.

Computer Software

School equipment may not be used to copy computer software illegally. The use of illegally copied software in schools is prohibited.

Software licensing agreements of copyright holders must be observed.

Multiple loading of software is prohibited without written permission from the copyright holder.

Use of computer software on a network computer system is prohibited without written permission of the copyright holder.

Software purchased by the district may not be used outside the schools unless provided for by license.

Music

Copies of sheet music may be duplicated for use by a chorus providing a purchase order for individual copies of the music has been issued. Once the music has arrived, the duplicate a must be destroyed.

If you have any questions, visit your friendly school librarian who would be happy to help you or answer your questions.

This program was funded in part through a grant from Utah State Library Division, Department of Heritage and Arts, and from the Institute of Museum and Library Services which administers the Library Services and Technology Act. This program was also funded in part through a grant from the Weber School District Foundation.